Mount Rainier National Park (WA)
Two Visitors Survive Night In Snow Cave
Rangers received several reports of an overdue party of two who went skiing and snowshoeing in the park on Sunday, December 13th. They did not return home Sunday night and were reportedly not prepared to spend the night out. Rangers began a hasty search on Monday morning, called in park and mountain rescue resources, and made arrangements for a helicopter to assist with the search effort. Avalanche conditions, an approaching storm, possible medical complications for one of the individuals, and limited daylight were considerations in stepping up the search. Before search resources arrived on scene, the pair – a man from Kirkland, Washington, and a woman from Wenatchee, Washington – walked out to their car, having spent a cold night in a snow cave. Both were okay. Stefan Lofgren was the IC for this search.